Gloria Hamman Helsley : Obituary

Gloria Hamman Helsley, age 85, of Blairsville, Georgia passed away at home July 5, 2014. She was born December 17, 1928 at Brandy Station, Virginia, daughter of Abner L. Hamman and Ora L. Hamman.She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Richard (Dick) A. Helsley, daughter Linda K. Helsley of Hillsboro, Oregon, son Richard L. Helsley of Raleigh, North Carolina, daughter Ruth E. Helsley and husband David King of Portland, Oregon, two grandchildren, Eric A. Helsley, ( and Ashley) and greatgrandson Vann Helsley, and granddaughter Leah T. Hawley. She was preceded in death by daughter Donna Ann Helsley and brother Lee Hamman.

Gloria and Dick were married in Roanoke, Virginia and lived in Fairfax, Virginia, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Columbia, South Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina returning to Roanoke, Virginia during Richard’s Railroad career with Southern Railway and Norfolk Southern Corporation and finally retiring to Young Harris, Georgia in 1987. Despite the mobile lifestyle, Gloria provided a stable home life for the four children including some fond memories of Swedish Tea Rings and yeast rolls!

Gloria worked at Belk’s Department Store in Greensboro, North Carolina as their Men’s Clothing Saleslady extraordinaire! Gloria and Richard were partners in “Gloria’s Gems Rock Shop” adjacent to William Holland Lapidary School for 18 years. Because of Gloria’s declining health they moved to Wesley Mountain Village, Blairsville 9 years ago.Gloria has been a loyal member of Mountain Presbyterian Church for 26 years.

A memorial service will be held at Mountain Presbyterian Church, Blairsville, conducted by Rev. K. Travis Adams on Friday, July 11, 2014 at 2:00 PM. Interment will be at Massanutten Cemetery, Woodstock, Virginia at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Mountain Presbyterian Church, 3831 Highway 515 East, Blairsville, Georgia 30512.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville, Georgia. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at: www.cochranfuneralhomes.com